Re: kelp

Margaret,
The additional info I sent was sent before you mentioned the phosphorous;
it wasn't avoidance of the issue. I don't have a published source regarding
the statement I made about GA at this time - as I said, that would require
more research and when I have time I will see what I can do. Being Sunday,
I cannot go directly to my source for that information.
Here's is the background for what I said. About 13 years ago I started
buying natural products from Nitron in Arkansas. The Soft Rock Phosphate I
purchased had a GA of 0-16-0. When I ran out and reodrded, the new bag of
the same product had a GA of 0-2-0. I called and spoke with Frank Finger
and he explained that he had been forced to change the GA on all his
products to reflect only what is immediately available. I don't recall
which department of the government came down on him for this, but he was
very grumbly about it.
Fast forward to today's discussion of kelp. If Nitron advertises Kelp Meal
as having a GA of 1-0-8, and that it has all nutrients necessary for plant
growth, it is my assumption that phosphorous falls into that category of
not immediately available. Their products are too good to have to lie
about such things. I've used their products for years and have confidence
in them.
Kitty
> [Original Message]
> From: Margaret Lauterbach <melauter@earthlink.net>
> To: <gardenchat@hort.net>
> Date: 12/15/2002 12:56:04 PM
> Subject: Re: [CHAT] kelp
>
> I know this. I didn't know we couldn't trust the NPK information. I
don't
> trust any synthetic fertilizer myself, because they're not obliged to
state
> what the allegedly "inert" ingredients are. Those may even be
radioactive
> wastes. Do you have a published source for your statement that the 0
> phosphate is just because government regulations prohibit a listing of
> nutrients not immediately available? Thanks, Margaret L
>
> >Additional info on kelp:Produces hormones which promote root development,
> >cell elongation, and general growth.Acts biochemically and
> >electro-magnetically to make plants more disease resistant. Contains
> >natural anti-biotics effective against detrimental fungi.Acts as a
> >culture medium for growth of phytotropic bacteria which account for up to
> >50% of photosynthesis in the plant.Conditions soil, increases moisture
> >retention and soil aeration.Increases plant's ability to take up trace
> >elements.Helps plants resist stress; makes grasses tougher and more
> >tolerant; helps lawn over-winter; aids in thatch decomposition.Has
> >insecticidal properties on sap-sucking insects; controls nematodes;
> >attracts earthworms to upper level of soil to promote aeration.Used as a
> >seed pretreatment, hastens germination, stimulates blossom and fruit
> >developmnet, produces healthier color, earlier fruit set, prevents fruit
> >drop.Used as a mulch in hydroseeding, it binds topsoil surface, promotes
> >germination, and reduces soil moisture evaporation. Kitty
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